Native Inmate Liaison Officer (NILO)-Elgin, Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC)

Entreinstitute; London; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton Native Women’s Centre seeks a Native Inmate Liaison Officer to provide culturally grounded support for Indigenous inmates at EMDC. The role bridges inmates, staff, and community resources, guiding traditional ceremonies and release planning to foster healing and successful reintegration.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed, client-centered services, harm-reduction approaches, and collaboration with the Outreach Services team in London, Ontario.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, social service work, community justice work, addictions worker or related field.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of working within a shelter, transitional living program, outreach services and/or social services field.
• Knowledge of issues impacting Indigenous women and children, and colonial history.
• Fluency in an Indigenous language is an asset.
• Strong crisis intervention, time management, and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Cultural Support: Arranging Elder visits, smudging ceremonies, and traditional teachings.
• Case Management & Advocacy: Intake assessments, release plans, and advocacy with institutional staff.
• Counseling & Programming: Individual and group counseling, hand drumming, and cultural workshops.
• Reintegration & Support: Providing housing, health, education, and employment resources after release.
• Operational liaison and reporting within correctional facilities.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Cultural competency

Advocacy

Administration

Indigenous language

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, social service work, community justice work, addictions worker or related field

Job description

Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women Incorporated

c/o Hamilton Native Women's Centre

Job Title: Native Inmate Liaison Officer (NILO)-Elgin, Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC)

The Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women Incorporated, operating as the Hamilton Native Women's Centre (NWC) is an Indigenous lead, not for profit organization, providing a secure and empowering environment for women and children fleeing domestic violence/gender-based violence/intimate partner violence, suffering from homelessness, and/or human trafficking.

We are culturally based and committed to creating positive outcomes for Indigenous women and their children. As a staff member of the Hamilton Native Women's Centre, you will have an opportunity for professional growth and access to traditional ways of being and knowing. We strive to uphold pre-colonial management and policy structure, while being supportive and maintaining a positive work atmosphere.

Department: Outreach Services

Reporting to: Manager of Outreach Programs and Services

Primary Purpose of Role: Outreach Services-Community Integration

The Native Inmate Liaison Officer, will provide essential cultural, spiritual, and reintegration support to Indigenous inmates in correctional facilities. The NILO will act as a bridge between inmates, staff, and community resources, facilitating traditional ceremonies (such as smudging), counseling, and release planning to promote healing, wellness, and successful reintegration.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

NILOs are focused on addressing the unique needs of Indigenous clients through specialized services:

• Cultural Support: Arranging for Elder visits, conducting smudging ceremonies, and providing traditional teachings and medicines.
• Case Management & Advocacy: Assisting with intake assessments, developing release plans (temporary absence plans), and advocating on behalf of inmates with institutional staff
• Counseling & Programming: Facilitating individual and group counseling, hand drumming, and cultural workshops.
• Reintegration & Support: Providing resources for housing, health, education, and employment following release.

Role within Correctional Facilities

• Operational Liaison: They act as a, "official point of contact," facilitating communication between Indigenous inmates, their families, and institutional staff.
• Reporting & Compliance: Maintaining records, preparing reports, and attending case conferences or committee meetings to discuss inmate status.
• Education: Educating correctional staff on Indigenous culture and history.

Other:

• Ensure that all services provided are client centered, and trauma informed.
• Ensure that all services provided are incorporating Indigenous culture as a way of being and knowing in the organization.
• Work from a Harm Reduction and Strength-Based Approach.
• Connect clients with appropriate community resources, based on client needs.
• Participate in all staff meetings.
• Participate in community collaborative meetings.
• Report all disclosures, safety issues, and serious occurrences to the appropriate contact.
• Incorporate Indigenous culture as a way of being and knowing in the organization.
• Attend relevant training, conferences and professional development, as required.
• Collect, maintain, and complete all statistical data reporting on a monthly, quarterly and year end basis.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Level of Responsibility: Outreach Services (Medium)

Required Qualifications

1. Education

Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, social service work, community justice work, addictions worker or related field

2. Work Experience

• Possesses a minimum of 3 to 5 years of working within a shelter, transitional living program, outreach services and/or social services field

3. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of and experience working with a range of issues impacting youth, women and children including homelessness, violence against women and children, gender based violence, human trafficking, poverty, mental health, addiction / substance use and harm reduction.
• Demonstrates cultural competency including awareness, knowledge and understanding of the impacts of colonialism and systemic issues.
• Experience working in a shelter environment or outreach setting is an asset
• Excellent crisis intervention skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Committed to upholding the organization’s mission, values and standards
• Fluency in an Indigenous language is an asset
• Cultural Competence: A strong understanding of Indigenous culture, traditions, and the impacts of colonization.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for building trust with inmates and collaborating with staff.
• Advocacy: Experience with community resources and navigating the justice system.
• Administration: Strong organizational and reporting skills

Working Conditions: Correctional Institution (Elgin, Middlesex Detention Centre-711 Exeter Rd, London, ON N6E 1L3)

• Monday to Friday, 40 hour per week
• Physical and Sensory Demands-High
• Physical Environment & Stress Factors-High

Hiring Requirements:

• Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector
• First Aid / CPR / AED Certification
• NVCPI Certification
• WHMIS 2025 Certification
• Food Handlers Certification
• ASIST Certification
• Naloxone Certification
• Actionable Accountability Training